Objective: To assess the lifestyle factors affecting the health of individuals in the middle class population of Rawalpindi.
Methodology: It was a cross sectional survey conducted on 30 houses with household members belonging to middle socioeconomic class. These houses were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected by a semi structured questionnaire. Responses were documented regarding family status (nuclear/extended), family members, age of husband and wife at marriage, education of husband and wife, occupation (husband and wife), household income, language, contraceptive practices, reasons for using or not using contraception, reason for preference of particular contraceptive method, spacing between children, sleeping hours, dietary habits, sources of drinking water, physical activity, health seeking behavior, option in case of sickness, life style diseases and smoking etc. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 21.
Results: Results showed that 90% of husbands and 80% of wives had bachelors and above level of education. 53% families were not using any contraception method. 67% of the respondents did not perform physical activity purely for the purpose of fitness. 53% families used water from filtration plant for drinking purpose. 47% of the respondents preferred home-made food during working hours. Regarding type of food preferred at home, 40% opted for chicken and meat products, 7% for vegetables and 53% for mixed type of food. 73% respondents were practicing mid-day sleep. 63% were in favor of having 3 major meals in a day and 60% were enjoying 6-8 hours sleep per day, 20% more than 8 hours, and 20% even less than 6 hours per day. Regarding health seeking approach, 60% preferred to seek medical advice and only 40% were in favor of self-medication in case of illness and.
Conclusion: Even people belonging to middle class, despite of being well educated, had unhealthy lifestyle. Most of them had poor dietary habits and poor contraceptive practices. Lifestyle related modifiable risk factors were prevalent.
Key words: Middle class, lifestyle, income, contraception, education
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